How to test your speakers and headphones
- Set your volume to a moderate level.
- Click Both to play a short chime on both channels.
- With headphones on, click Left and Right to check each ear.
- Answer Did you hear the sound? — if not, you'll get step-by-step fixes.
No sound? Try this
- Volume and mute: check both your computer and the headphones or speakers themselves.
- Output device: open your system sound settings and choose the right output. It often changes when you plug in headphones, connect Bluetooth or attach a monitor with speakers.
- Bluetooth: disconnect and reconnect. Some headsets switch to a low-quality "hands-free" mode during calls.
- Wired: push the plug in firmly and try the other port if your computer has two.
- Browser tab muted: right-click the tab and make sure "Mute site" (Chrome) or "Mute tab" (Firefox) isn't selected.
Headphone test: left and right
Put your headphones on and click Left, then Right. Each chime should play in one ear only; Both should sound centered.
Left and right swapped or only one side works
If the left sound comes from the right ear, your headphones are probably on backwards — look for the small L and R marks. If both buttons sound the same in both ears, mono audio may be on: check Accessibility → Audio on Mac, Accessibility → Audio & Visual on iPhone, the Accessibility hearing settings on Android, or Settings → Accessibility → Audio on Windows. If only one side ever works, the cable or one earpiece may be damaged.
Hearing an echo on calls?
If the other person hears themselves, your microphone is picking up your speakers. Use headphones, lower the speaker volume, or turn on echo cancellation — you can check it in our mic test.